AUPD's response to sexual assaults

Jurisdiction and Investigative Practices

Under the laws of the District of Columbia (DC), the American University Police Department (AUPD) has jurisdiction to investigate and make arrests for all crimes, other than homicide, that occur on property owned, leased, or controlled by American University.

For the purposes of investigations into sexual assaults, AUPD officers are trained to use a trauma-informed approach to take an initial report. Once initial details are determined, they, with the survivor's consent, coordinate closely with the DC Metropolitan Police Department's (MPD) Sex Crimes detectives that are availablre 24/7 to handle the actual investigation, with AUPD detectives providing a supporting role and facilitating information flow between the university and the investigation. MPD Sex Crimes detectives work with a special unit of the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia that is dedicated to prosecuting sex crimes. The decision to involve MPD or for MPD to proceed with an investigation or prosecution remains with the survivor at every step of the way. 

Processes

AUPD will help you file a university incident report and assign a female or male officer, as requested, to handle the initial interview. We will offer you the option of contacting MPD when you report the incident to us. If possible, it is extremely important to preserve evidence as proof of a criminal offense or for obtaining a protection order. We will honor and respect your decision to pursue or not to pursue criminal or civil action. If you so choose, AUPD can assist with obtaining a free forensic nurse examination (sometimes known as a rape kit) and provide support as you work with the MPD Sex Crimes Unit.

When a university employee reports an incident involving sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking to AUPD, the employee is provided with information about services, including the Faculty/Staff Assistance Program, Employee Relations, protective orders, and victim assistance programs.

AUPD has the option to bar individuals from all AU property including when they are a respondent in an allegation involving sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. Barring notices serve as formal warnings that recipients are not permitted to return to all property owned or controlled by American University. Failure to comply with the conditions of a barring notice may result in arrest under Section 22-3302 of the District of Columbia Official Code. Barring notices are in effect indefinitely from date of issuance unless otherwise rescinded. Only the Assistant Vice President of University Police and Emergency Management may rescind a barring notice. In situations regarding university affiliates, the Assistant Vice President or their designee will coordinate barring the individual with the appropriate office.

AUPD resources are available regardless of whether the victim decides to pursue criminal charges.

University Resources beyond AUPD

In addition to filing a report with AUPD, a victim may also file an internal university complaint pursuant to the university’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and/or Discrimination and Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy. The university’s policies identified above are intended to afford a prompt, fair, and impartial investigation and resolution of the complaint.

AU community members who feel that they have been subjected to sexual harassment (including dating, violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking) in violation of AU’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and/or Discrimination and Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy should report such complaints to the Office of Equity and Title IX using the form at https://www.american.edu/equity-titleix/help.cfm.

A full listing of resources that the university maintains for survivors of sexual assault can be found at https://www.american.edu/equity-titleix/support.cfm.